First prisoner freed in Shalit video swap

JERUSALEM (JTA) – Israel released its first female Palestinian prisoner as part of an exchange with Hamas for a video proving Gilad Shalit is alive.

Braah Mulki, 15, was released late Wednesday to her home near the West Bank city of Ramallah.

The other 19 prisoners are scheduled to be released Friday, when a one-minute video will be handed over to Egyptian negotiators.

On Wednesday, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved the release of 20 female Palestinian security prisoners in exchange for a recently recorded videotape of Shalit.

The proposal was presented to the Cabinet by the Egyptian team responsible for negotiating the release of the captive soldier, who has been held for more than three years by Hamas, most of the time in Gaza. The video will give Israel "updated and unequivocal proof" that Shalit is alive and well, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

All but one of the Palestinian women to be released are from the West Bank and none were directly involved in the killing of Israelis, according to reports.